Thuja plant named &#39;SILVANUS 1. SZ. KLON&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘SILVANUS 1. SZ. KLON’ is a new variety of  Thuja occidentalis  that exhibits medium dense branching and is suitable for use as a solitary garden plant or for use as a field hedge.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present invention claims priority to Hungarian Plant PatentApplication No. F04 00057, filed on Sep. 22, 2004.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Thuja occidentalis

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘SILVANUS 1. SZ. KLON’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Thujaoccidentalis known by the varietal name ‘SILVANUS 1. SZ. KLON’. The newvariety was discovered by the breeder as a mutation of Thujaoccidentalis ‘Smaragd’ in West Hungary. ‘SILVANUS 1. SZ. KLON’ was firstasexually reproduced by semi-hardwood cuttings in West Hungary. The newvariety has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain itsdistinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successivepropagations. Table 1 illustrates characteristics that distinguish‘SILVANUS 1. SZ. KLON’ from its parent plant, ‘Smaragd’. TABLE 1Characteristic ‘SILVANUS 1. SZ. KLON’ ‘Smaragd’ Plant habit Ovoid ConicPlant speed of growth Slow Medium Color of upper leaf side in Lightgreen Green Summer Side branch position Vertical Horizontal Scale leafwidth Narrow Medium Scale leaf thickness Thin to medium Medium

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new variety, withthe color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type:

FIG. 1 shows an entire plant of the new variety; and

FIG. 2 shows an entire field of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics werecollected by asexual reproductions carried out in West Hungary. The newvariety was grown outside without shade in average productivity soilafter a Summer season that experienced more rain than average.‘SILVANUS 1. SZ. KLON’ was four years old when described and was grownfree range (without a container). The color readings were taken outdoorsunder natural light. Color references are primarily to the R.H.S. ColourChart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

Growth and Propagation

-   Plant type and use: Squamifoliate evergreen plant. It can be used    solitarily in gardens or grouped as a field hedge.-   Growth habit: Ovoid.-   Height: 50 cm.-   Spread: 22 cm.-   Hardiness: Zone 5, between 28.8-23.4° C.-   Propagation protocol: The new variety grafts well and, similar to    ‘Smaragd’, ‘SILVANUS 1. SZ. KLON’ can be propagated by cuttings    successfully. As the plant takes root well, the cutting is the most    important propagation protocol in the nursery. The cuttings are    taken immediately from the semi-hardwood shoots taken off the mother    plants. Please note that only semi-hardwood cuttings can root, as    soft cuttings root off in the radication medium and cannot take    root. Also, fewer cuttings can be taken from ‘SILVANUS 1. SZ. KLON’    because it is slower growing than ‘Smaragd’. The cuttings are taken    from the end of August until April, by the beginning of    prolification. The radication medium used is 0.2 mm    granulation-sterile buddled gravel. For a better rooting, each    cutting is dipped (about 1 mm deep) into 0.6% IBA (indole butric    acid). The cuttings are grown in a temperate glasshouse. The    temperature of the rooting medium should be between 19 and 20° C.    and the temperature of the air must always be cooler. Low    temperatures (up to −5° C.) also provide a stronger root system.    Automatic overhead irrigation is supplied 2-3 times a day, depending    on the weather. The cuttings take root in 9-12 weeks. The growing    can then proceed in 9×9 plastic pots or in open ground.-   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 42 to 56 days, with the    temperature of radication medium being 19-20° C. and the maximum    temperature of the air being 16-17° C.-   Time to develop roots: Approximately 21 to 28 days, with the    temperature of radication medium being 19-20° C. and the maximum    temperature of the air being 16-17° C.-   Rooting habit: Adventitious and fibrous root system.

Stem Description

-   Shape:    -   -   Twigs.—Upright.        -   Mature branches.—Upright.-   Color:    -   -   Twigs.—Greyed-Orange Group 177B.        -   Young branches.—Greyed-Orange Group 164C.        -   Mature branches.—Greyed-Orange Group 177B.-   Diameter:    -   -   Twigs.—8 mm.        -   Main branches.—5 mm.        -   Secondary branches.—2.5 mm.-   Length:    -   -   Twigs: Short.        -   Main branches: Short.        -   Secondary branches: Short.-   Surface description:    -   -   Twigs: Fibrous, vertically striated.        -   Main branches: Medium striation.        -   Secondary branches: Minor striation.-   Branching description: The branching is medium dense and it is    arranged in vertical levels. The branching is similar to Thuja    orientalis ‘Aurea Nana’ (syn: Thuja orientalis ‘Berkmannii’).-   Branch aspect description: Similar to Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’,    but its structure is thinner and finer.

Foliage Description

-   Leaf:    -   -   Color.—Green Group 143C.        -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Fragrance.—Resin-smelling (if rubbed).        -   Shape.—Flattened squama.        -   Length.—2.5 mm.        -   Width.—Narrow, approximately 1.5-2 mm.        -   Division.—Overlap as a squama.        -   Base.—Oval.        -   Apex.—Pointed; sharp.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface: Glandular points rise with            an X motif because of overlapping scale leafs. Lower            surface: X motif because of overlapping scale leafs.        -   Resin glands.—Location: At glandular point rises. Shape:            Square. Color: Green.-   Cone description: Not available as cones are not yet present.-   Seed description: Not available as seeds are not yet present.

1. A new and distinct variety of Thuja occidentalis named ‘SILVANUS 1.SZ. KLON’ as is herein described and illustrated.